Flat-panel display mounting system for portable computer

ABSTRACT

A flat-panel display with fixtures in its sidewalls to enable support by lateral mounting members is disclosed. The advantage of this approach, in which the fixtures are essentially rotated around to the sides of the flat-panel display, is the reduction in the portion of the portable computer&#39;s top cover that is not the active display. In practice, this results in an increase in the size of the display that may be housed in the same-sized top cover. In order to accommodate the lateral mounting of the flat-panel display, metal brackets are used. These brackets extend from the base unit hinges and cradle the display. This adds torsional rigidity, but also removes the requirement that the back must be structural. Further reductions in the inactive portions of the top cover may be achieved by extending the ends of the display&#39;s fluorescent back-light beyond or through the metal rim that surrounds the display.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/007,718,filed Dec. 6, 2004, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.08/822,438, filed Mar. 21, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,838,810 dated Jan.4, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable computers almost universally have a top cover that pivots toopen or close over a base unit. The top cover typically houses aflat-panel display, and the base unit has a keyboard and, many times,some form of pointing device.

In most cases, the flat-panel display is supported in the top cover bysecuring it to a plastic back or rear portion of the top cover. Usually,the flat-panel display has four or more holes around its periphery;bolts extend orthogonally to the face of the display, through the holes,to engage bosses, which are integral with the back. The plastic back istypically structural in nature, being manufactured from a rigid plastic.When connected together, the flat-panel display and the plastic backprovide necessary rigidity to the top cover.

The selection of the flat-panel display in portable computers isgenerally driven by two competing concerns. On one hand, with theavailability of ever-larger flat-panel displays, there is a desire toincorporate those displays into newer portable computer designs. Runningcontrary to this, however, is the desire to limit the overall dimensionsof the computers to enhance their portability. For example, it is commonto design portable computers with outside dimensions limited toapproximately 8×11″. These dimensions are characteristic ofnotebook-sized computers.

Various innovations have come about to increase the active or viewingarea of the flat-panel display as a proportion of the total surface areaof the top cover to obtain larger displays without increasing thecomputer's overall dimensions. For example, it is known to fold thedriving and other peripheral circuitry around to the back of theflat-panel display. This results in a display panel whose surface areais almost entirely active except for the width of the metal rim thatholds the display together and the bolt holes that are used to attachthe flat-panel display to the plastic back.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problem with prior art configurations is the fact that they fail torecognize that the size of the top cover need not be large enough toaccommodate the bolt holes. According to the present invention, theflat-panel display is provided with fixtures in the display's sidewallsto provide for its support by lateral mounting members. The advantage ofthis approach, in which the bolt holes are essentially rotated around tothe sides of the flat-panel display, is the reduction in the portion ofthe portable computer's top cover that is not an active display. Inpractice, this results in an increase of six millimeters or more in thesize display that may be housed in the same-sized top cover.

In specific embodiments, the lateral mounting members comprise boltsthat engage bosses in the flat-panel display.

Further reductions in the inactive portions of the top cover may beachieved by extending the ends of the display's fluorescent back-lightbeyond or through the metal rim that surrounds the display. This allowsthe rim to be even thinner.

Also according to the invention, in order to accommodate the lateralmounting of the flat-panel display, metal brackets are used. Thesebrackets extend from the base unit hinges and cradle the display. Thisadds torsional rigidity, but also removes the requirement that the backmust be structural. As a result, the back can simply be a thin, moldedcosmetic rear cover for the computer's top cover.

In specific embodiments, the lateral mounting members, or bolts, passthrough the brackets and the plastic back to engage the bosses, thusbinding the elements to each other.

The above and other features of the invention including various noveldetails of construction and combinations of parts, and other advantages,will now be more particularly described with reference to theaccompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will beunderstood that the particular method and device embodying the inventionare shown by way of illustration and not as a limitation of theinvention. The principles and features of this invention may be employedin various and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, reference characters refer to the sameparts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarilyto scale; emphasis has instead been placed upon illustrating theprinciples of the invention. Of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable computer according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the top cover of the portable computeraccording to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the inventive top cover; and

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a corner of an inventiveflat-panel display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a personal computer 10 constructed according to theprinciples of the present invention. Generally, the computer 10 has atop cover 100 that is connected by hinges 112, or otherwise pivotallyattached, to a base unit 12. The top cover 100 houses a flat-paneldisplay 114 and a second, much smaller, status display 116, whichtypically provides information concerning remaining battery life, diskdrive operation, and other house-keeping functions. The base unit 12 haskeyboard 14 and a pointing device 16, a touch pad in the illustratedembodiment. A power switch 18 and disk drive door 20 are located on theside of the base unit 12.

The overall dimensions of the particular embodiment illustrated whenclosed are about 8.5 inches wide by 12 inches long, which dimensionsalso apply to the top cover 100 and base unit 12 separately. The totalclosed height is over two inches, with the height of the top cover 100being approximately 0.5 inches.

The unique characteristics of the present invention are evident in theratio between the total surface area of the top cover 100 and thesurface area of the active or viewable area of the display 114. Theactive area of the display 114 illustrated is 14.1 inches, diagonally.Consequently, it consumes over 90% of the top cover's total area.

FIG. 2 illustrates the mounting technique for the display 114 in the topcover 100. Structurally, the top cover 100 comprises a back 118. Thiscomponent is almost universally constructed from plastic and forms thetop outer shell of the portable computer 10 when the top cover 100 isclosed. The back 118 is rectangular in shape and forms essentially a tubaround the other elements of the top cover 100. The proximal wall 120 ofthe back 118 is not present, however, to accommodate the hingeconnection to the base unit 12.

In many prior art designs, the back 118 of the top cover 100 providedsignificant structural support to the back cover. This fact was evidentby the existence of spines or ridges, which are integral with the back,that added rigidity. It is also common to bolt the display to the backby placing bosses in the back during molding. In the present embodiment,only the sidewalls 130, 132 of the back 118 contribute to the back'sbending rigidity, and the back overall has little torsional rigidity.

Rigidity, especially torsional, is added to the top cover 100 by rightand left metal brackets 122, 124 that are located in the back. Theproximal portion of each bracket 122, 124 connects to respective rightand left hinge elements 126, 128 that are adapted to cooperate withcorresponding hinge elements in the base unit 12. The brackets 122, 124are each aligned against respective sidewalls 130, 132 of the back 118.The cross-section of each bracket is essentially “L”-shaped, the shorterlegs 134, 136 extending orthogonally away from the planar inner surfaceof the back 118 and abutting the back's sidewalls 130, 132. Two holes138, 140 in each bracket are sized to accommodate bolts 148, 150, twomillimeters in diameter, and the holes 138, 140 align with correspondingholes 142, 144 through the sidewalls 130, 132 of the back 118.Preferably, the outer surfaces of the back's sidewalls 130, 132 haveslight depressions 146 to recess heads of the bolts 148, 150.

The flat-panel display 114 (not shown) comprises a large active area 152that is defined by the transparent top window of the display 114. Thetop window is clamped to the panel's plastic back (not shown in thisfigure) by a metal rim 154 that extends around the display'scircumference, defining the display's bottom (180), left (181), top(182), and right (183) sidewalls 180-183. Holes 156, 158, formed in themetal rim 154, align with the holes 138, 140 in the brackets and backwhen the display is installed. The four bolts 148, 150 extend throughthe back 118, brackets 122, 124 to engage bosses held in the display 114(not shown) behind the metal rim 154.

A plastic bezel 160 snap fits over the display onto the back. Thebezel's rim extends inward hiding the display's metal rim 154.

FIG. 3 is cross-sectional view further illustrating the back cover'sconstruction. As discussed previously, each of the four bolts 148, 150extends through the back 118 and corresponding vertical legs 134, 136 ofthe brackets 122, 124. The bolts 148, 150 further extend through themetal rim 154 of the display to engage corresponding threaded bosses 162held in the plastic back 164 of the display. Also shown is the snap-fitarrangement 161 of the plastic bezel 160 to the back 118.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of one of the lower outer corners of theflat-panel display 114 illustrating another innovation of the inventionthat enables a more compact display. Usually, the length of thefluorescent back-light plus the thickness of the display's metal rimdictate the overall width of the display. The light emitting portion ofthe fluorescent light must be as wide as the active area of the display,but electrodes on the end of the light are wider than the smallperipheral inactive portion of the display.

According to the present invention, circular cut-outs 166 are formed inthe metal rim 154 to allow the ends of the fluorescent back-light 168 toextend slightly beyond the outer surface of the metal rim 154. As aresult, the overall width of the display is no wider than the criticallength of the fluorescent back-light 168. In effect, twice the thicknessof the metal rim 154, since cut-outs 166 are provided for both ends ofthe back-light 168, is removed from the overall width of the display 114without any loss in active area 152. Defined another way, the inactiveportions on both sides of the display 114 are each decreased by thethickness of the metal rim 154 by enabling the ends of the back-light168 to extend beyond the metal rim.

In other embodiments of the invention, the bolts 148, 150 may bereplaced with pins that extend through the back 118 and brackets 122,124 to engage non-threaded holes in the sidewalls 180-183 of the display114, possibly using an interference fit. Alternatively, these pins couldbe integral with the metal brackets 122, 124. In this latter case, itmay be desirable to have the display 114 to snap fit with the pins, tofacilitate the manufacturing process.

In still another embodiment, pins extend outward from the display 114,possibly integral with the metal rim 154 to engage the brackets 122, 124with an arrangement. This configuration has an advantage, because thereis no need to accommodate holes in the display, which could affect thedisplay's electrical design.

In still other embodiments, mounting could be accomplished off of thetop and bottom sidewalls 180, 182 of the display 114. In this case,lateral mounting members that cooperate with these sidewalls would beused to replace the mounting fixtures on the right and left sidewalls181, 183, or in addition to those fixtures.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described withreferences to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A mounting system for a flat-panel display for a computer, themounting system comprising: a bracket member for mounting the flat-paneldisplay in a cover, the bracket member having at least one first holeformed laterally through a portion thereof and at least one second holeformed therethrough; and the flat-panel display including a back, adisplay panel, and a rim extending around the back and display panel,the back having at least one hole formed laterally therein, theflat-panel display secured to at least a portion of the bracket memberusing at least one mounting member extending through the at least onefirst hole formed laterally through a portion of the bracket member andengaging at least a portion of the at least one hole of the back of theflat-panel display for mounting the flat-panel display to the bracketmember.
 2. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the bracket membercomprises a member having a first portion extending in a first directionand a second portion extending orthogonally in a second directiontherefrom.
 3. The mounting system of claim 2, wherein the at least onefirst hole is formed in the first portion of the bracket member and theat least one second hole is formed in the second portion of the bracketmember.
 4. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the cover includes asidewall.
 5. The mounting system of claim 4, wherein the bracket membercomprises a member having a first portion extending in a first directionfor extending in the direction of the sidewall of the cover being spacedtherefrom and a second portion extending orthogonally in a seconddirection therefrom.
 6. The mounting system of claim 5, wherein thebracket member further includes the at least one first hole located inthe first portion and the at least one second hole located in the secondportion.
 7. The mounting system of claim 6, further comprising anothermounting member for mounting the flat-panel display in the cover.
 8. Themounting system of claim 7, wherein the another mounting member is formounting the flat-panel display in the cover having a portion thereofextending through a hole in the cover and extending into at least aportion of the at least one second hole in the bracket member formounting the flat-panel display in the cover.
 9. The mounting system ofclaim 1, wherein a bezel may be used to cover a portion of theflat-panel display.
 10. The mounting system of claim 9, wherein thebezel further includes a portion for abutting a portion of a sidewall ofthe cover.
 11. The mounting system of claim 10, wherein the bezelfurther includes a portion for extending into the cover.
 12. Themounting system of claim 11, wherein the bezel further includes aportion for extending into the cover to be located between the sidewallthereof and first portion of the bracket member.
 13. An assembly formounting a flat-panel display comprising: a flat-panel display includinga back having at least one hole formed laterally therein and a displaypanel, the flat-panel display secured to at least a portion of a bracketmember by using at least one mounting member extending through a firsthole formed laterally through a portion of the bracket member andengaging at least a portion of the at least one hole of the back of theflat-panel display for mounting the flat-panel display to the bracketmember for mounting the assembly in a cover for a computer.
 14. Theassembly of claim 13, wherein the bracket member comprises a memberhaving a first portion extending in a first direction and a secondportion extending orthogonally in a second direction therefrom.
 15. Theassembly of claim 14, wherein the first hole is formed in the firstportion of the bracket member and at least one second hole is formed inthe second portion of the bracket member.
 16. The assembly of claim 13,wherein the cover includes a sidewall.
 17. The assembly of claim 16,wherein the bracket member comprises a member having a first portionextending in a first direction for extending in the direction of thesidewall of the cover being spaced therefrom and a second portionextending orthogonally in a second direction therefrom.
 18. The assemblyof claim 17, wherein the bracket member further includes the first holelocated in the first portion and at least one second hole located in thesecond portion.
 19. The assembly of claim 18, further comprising anothermounting member for mounting the flat-panel display in the cover. 20.The assembly of claim 19, wherein the another mounting member extendsthrough a hole in the cover and extending into at least a portion of theat least one second hole in the bracket member for mounting theflat-panel display in the cover.
 21. The assembly of claim 13, wherein abezel may be used to cover a portion of the flat-panel display.
 22. Theassembly of claim 21, wherein the bezel further includes a portion forabutting a portion of a sidewall of the cover.
 23. The assembly of claim22, wherein the bezel further includes a portion for extending into thecover.
 24. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the bezel further includesa portion for extending into the cover to be located between a sidewallthereof and first portion of the bracket member.
 25. The assembly ofclaim 13, wherein the flat-panel display further includes a rimextending around the display panel and the back.
 26. An assembly of amounting system for a flat-panel display, the mounting systemcomprising: a cover including a back and a sidewall extending around atleast a portion of the back, the sidewall having at least one holeextending therethrough, the cover configured for housing a flat-paneldisplay therein; a bracket member having a first hole and a second hole;a flat-panel display including a back having at least one hole formedlaterally therein configured for mounting the flat-panel display in thecover using mounting members engaging at least a portion of the firsthole in the bracket member and at least a portion of the at least onehole of the back of the flat-panel display and engaging the at least onehole in the sidewall of the cover.
 27. A mounting system for aflat-panel display comprising: a cover including a back and a sidewallextending around at least a portion of the back, the sidewall having atleast one hole extending therethrough, the cover configured for housinga flat-panel display therein; and a flat-panel display including a backhaving at least one hole formed laterally therein configured formounting the flat-panel display in the cover using a mounting memberengaging at least a portion of the at least one hole of the back of theflat-panel display and engaging the at least one hole in the sidewall ofthe cover.
 28. A mounting system for a flat-panel display in a cover fora computer comprising: a flat-panel display having a plurality of edgesincluding at least a hole formed laterally therein configured formounting the flat-panel display in a cover of a portable computer, thecover having a back and a sidewall extending therearound having at leasta hole therethrough; and a lateral mounting member extending laterallyfrom the at least a hole in the sidewall of the cover engaging at leasta portion of the at least a hole in the plurality of edges of theflat-panel display.
 29. The mounting system of claim 28, wherein theflat-panel display comprises another hole formed laterally therein andanother mounting member extending thereinto.
 30. The mounting system ofclaim 28, wherein the lateral mounting member comprises a bolt thatengages a boss in the flat-panel display.
 31. The mounting system ofclaim 28, wherein the cover comprises a plastic back, pivotal couplingsconnecting the cover to a base unit, and at least one metal bracket thatextends from the pivotal couplings, the lateral mounting member engagingthe at least one metal bracket and the plastic back.
 32. The mountingsystem of claim 31, wherein the lateral mounting member comprises a boltthat passes through the bracket and the plastic back to engage a boss inthe flat-panel display.
 33. The mounting system of claim 31, wherein theplastic back does not substantially contribute to the rigidity of thetop cover.
 34. The mounting system described in claim 28, wherein theflat-panel display comprises a display panel, a display rim extendingaround a perimeter of the display panel, and a display back; and thelateral mounting member comprises a bolt that engages a boss in thedisplay back of the flat-panel display, behind the display rim.
 35. Amounting system for a flat-panel display in a top cover of a computer,the mounting system comprising: lateral mounting members extending fromthe top cover to engage sidewalls of the flat-panel display, wherein thetop cover comprises a plastic back, pivotal couplings connecting the topcover to a base unit, and at least one metal bracket that extends fromthe pivotal couplings, the lateral mounting members engaging the atleast one metal bracket and the plastic back.
 36. A mounting system fora flat-panel display in a top cover of a computer, the mounting systemcomprising: lateral mounting members extending from the top cover toengage sidewalls of the flat-panel display, wherein the top covercomprises a plastic back, pivotal couplings connecting the top cover toa base unit, and at least one metal bracket that extends from thepivotal couplings; the lateral mounting members engaging the at leastone metal bracket and the plastic back, and, wherein the lateralmounting members comprise bolts that pass through the at least one metalbracket and the plastic back to engage bosses in the flat-panel display.37. A mounting system for a flat-panel display in a top cover of acomputer, the mounting system comprising: lateral mounting membersextending from the top cover to engage the flat-panel display, whereinthe top cover comprises a plastic back, pivotal couplings connecting thetop cover to a base unit, and at least one metal bracket that extendsfrom the pivotal couplings; the lateral mounting members engaging the atleast one metal bracket and the plastic back, wherein the plastic backdoes not substantially contribute to the rigidity of the top cover. 38.A mounting system for a display in a cover for a base of a computer, themounting system comprising: a cover including a back and a sidewallextending around at least a portion of the back, the sidewall having atleast one hole extending laterally therethrough, the cover configuredfor closing over the base of the computer; and a display including atleast one hole formed laterally therein configured for mounting thedisplay in the cover using mounting members engaging at least a portionof the at least one hole of the sidewall of the cover and engaging atleast a portion of the at least one hole of the display.
 39. Themounting system described in claim 38, further comprising: a bezelconfigured for covering a portion of the display.
 40. A mounting systemfor a display for a device comprising: a display having an active areaand having a plurality of sidewalls, the display including a pluralityof holes formed laterally in the plurality of sidewalls, the displayconfigured for mounting in a top cover to cover a base of a computer;and lateral mounting members extending laterally between the top coverand the display, the lateral mounting members engaging the plurality ofholes formed laterally in the plurality of sidewalls of the display. 41.The mounting system in claim 40, wherein the lateral mounting membersextend through at least two holes of the plurality in one of a sidewalland the plurality of sidewalls of the display.
 42. The mounting systemin claim 40, wherein the lateral mounting members comprise bolts thatengage bosses in the display.
 43. The mounting system in claim 40,wherein the top cover comprises: a back having a sidewall extendingaround a portion of the back, pivotal couplings connecting the cover toa base unit, and at least one bracket having a portion that extends fromthe pivotal couplings; and the lateral mounting members engage portionsof the at least one bracket and the back.
 44. The mounting system inclaim 43, wherein the lateral mounting members comprise thread fastenersconfigured for passing through the at least one bracket and the back toengage bosses in the display.
 45. The mounting system in claim 43,wherein the lateral mounting members comprise pins configured forpassing through the at least one bracket and the back to engage bossesin the display.
 46. The mounting system in claim 43, wherein thesidewall of the back substantially contributes to the rigidity of thetop cover.
 47. The mounting system in claim 40, wherein the displaycomprises: a display panel; a display rim extending around a perimeterof the display; a display back.
 48. The mounting system in claim 47,wherein the lateral mounting members comprise threaded fastenersconfigured to engage bosses in the display back.
 49. The mounting systemin claim 47, wherein the lateral mounting members comprise pinsconfigured to engage bosses in the display back of the display, behindthe display rim.
 50. The mounting system in claim 47, wherein thelateral mounting members comprise pins configured to engage the displayand a sidewall of the top cover.
 51. The mounting system in claim 40,further comprising: a bezel configured for covering a portion of thedisplay.
 52. A mounting system for a display in a cover for a base unitof a computer comprising: a display panel including an active area, aback, a plurality of sidewalls forming the circumference of the displaypanel, and a hole extending laterally into a sidewall of the pluralityof the display panel; a cover including a back and a sidewall extendingaround a portion of the back, the sidewall having a hole extendinglaterally therethrough, the cover for closing over a base unit of acomputer; and a lateral mounting member configured for engaging at leasta portion of the hole in the sidewall of the cover and engaging at leasta portion of the hole of the display panel.
 53. The mounting system ofclaim 52, wherein the lateral mounting member comprises a screw.
 54. Themounting system of claim 52, wherein a plurality of edges of the displaypanel are located within the sidewall extending around a portion of theback of the cover.
 55. The mounting system of claim 52, wherein thedisplay panel further comprises: a rim extending around thecircumference of the display panel, the rim having a hole therethrough.56. The mounting system of claim 55, wherein the lateral mounting membercomprises a member configured for engaging at least a portion of thehole in the sidewall of the cover, configured for extending through thehole in the rim, and configured for engaging at least a portion of thehole of the display panel.
 57. The mounting system of claim 52, whereinthe lateral mounting member comprises a threaded fastener.
 58. Themounting system of claim 52, wherein the lateral mounting membercomprises a pin.
 59. The mounting system of claim 52, furthercomprising: a bezel configured for covering a portion of the displaypanel.
 60. A mounting system for a display in a cover for a base unit ofa computer comprising: a display panel including an active area, a back,a plurality of sidewalls forming the circumference of the display panel,and a plurality of holes extending laterally into the plurality ofsidewalls of the display panel; a cover including a back and a sidewallextending around a portion of the back, the sidewall having a pluralityof holes extending laterally therethrough, the cover covering a baseunit of a computer; and a plurality of lateral mounting membersconfigured for engaging at least a portion of the plurality of holes inthe sidewall of the cover and engaging at least a portion of theplurality of holes of the display panel.
 61. The mounting system ofclaim 60, wherein the plurality of lateral mounting members comprisesthreaded fasteners.
 62. The mounting system of claim 60, wherein theplurality of holes in a plurality of sidewalls of display panel arelocated within the back of the display panel.
 63. The mounting system ofclaim 60, wherein the display panel further comprises: a rim extendingaround the circumference of the display panel, the rim having aplurality of holes therethrough.
 64. The mounting system of claim 63,wherein the plurality of lateral mounting members include each memberconfigured for engaging at least a portion of a hole of the plurality ofholes in the sidewall of the cover, configured for extending through ahole of the plurality of holes of the rim, and configured for engagingat least a portion of a hole of the plurality of holes of the displaypanel.
 65. The mounting system of claim 60, wherein the lateral mountingmembers comprises threaded fasteners.
 66. The mounting system of claim60, wherein the lateral mounting members comprise members engaging anon-threaded hole in the display panel.
 67. The mounting system of claim60, wherein the cover includes pivotal couplings configured to connectthe cover to a base unit of a computer, at least one other lateralmounting member, and at least one bracket configured to have a portionextending from a pivotal coupling, the at least one other lateralmounting member engaging at least a portion of the at least one bracket.68. The mounting system of claim 60, wherein the cover includes at leastone bracket including at least one pin configured to engage at least aportion of a hole of the plurality of holes extending laterally into aplurality of edges of the display panel.
 69. The mounting system ofclaim 60, further comprising: a bezel configured for covering a portionof the display panel.
 70. A mounting system for a display in a cover fora base unit of a computer comprising: a display panel including anactive area, a back, a plurality of sidewalls forming the circumferenceof the display panel, and a plurality of holes extending laterally intoat least two opposed edges of the plurality of sidewalls of the displaypanel; a cover including a back having a sidewall extending around aportion of the back, the sidewall having a plurality of holes extendinglaterally therethrough, pivotal couplings configured to connect thecover to a base unit of a computer for closing thereover, a plurality ofbrackets, each bracket of the plurality having a hole extendinglaterally through a portion thereof, each bracket of the pluralityconfigured to have a portion to connect with a portion of the pivotalcouplings; and a plurality of lateral mounting members, each lateralmounting member of the plurality configured for engaging at least aportion of a hole of the plurality of holes in the sidewalls of thecover, engaging at least a portion of a hole of the plurality of holesof the display panel, and extending through the one hole in each bracketof the plurality of brackets.
 71. The mounting system of claim 70,wherein the plurality of lateral mounting members comprise threadedfasteners.
 72. The mounting system of claim 70, wherein the displaypanel further comprises: a rim extending around the circumference of thedisplay panel, the rim having a plurality of holes therethrough.
 73. Themounting system of claim 70, wherein the plurality of lateral mountingmembers includes each member configured for engaging a non-threaded holein the display panel.
 74. The mounting system of claim 70, wherein thecover includes a bracket having at least one pin configured to engage atleast a portion of a hole of the plurality of holes of the displaypanel.
 75. The mounting system of claim 70, wherein the sidewall of thecover includes a sidewall configured to extend around a plurality ofsides of the back.
 76. The mounting system of claim 70, furthercomprising: a bezel configured for covering a portion of the displaypanel.
 77. The mounting system of claim 76, wherein the bezel includes aportion extending between the plurality of brackets.
 78. A mountingsystem for a display in a cover for a base unit of a computercomprising: a display panel including an active area, a back, aplurality of sidewalls forming the circumference of the display panel,and a plurality of holes extending laterally into at least two opposededges of the plurality of sidewalls of the display panel; a coverincluding a back having a sidewall extending around a portion of theback, couplings configured to connect the cover to a base unit of acomputer for closing thereover, a plurality of brackets, each bracket ofthe plurality having a hole extending laterally through a portionthereof, each bracket of the plurality configured to have a portion toconnect with a portion of the couplings; and a plurality of lateralmounting members, each lateral mounting member of the pluralityconfigured for engaging at least a portion of a hole of the plurality ofholes of the display panel and extending through the one hole in eachbracket of the plurality of brackets.
 79. The mounting system of claim78, wherein the plurality of lateral mounting members comprise threadedfasteners.
 80. The mounting system of claim 78, wherein the displaypanel further comprises: a rim extending around the circumference of thedisplay panel, the rim having a plurality of holes therethrough.
 81. Themounting system of claim 78, wherein the plurality of lateral mountingmembers includes each member configured for engaging a non-threaded holein the display panel.
 82. The mounting system of claim 78, wherein thecover includes a bracket having at least one pin configured to engage atleast a portion of a hole of the plurality of holes extending laterallyinto a plurality of edges of the display panel.
 83. The mounting systemof claim 78, wherein the sidewall of the cover includes a sidewallconfigured to extend around a plurality of sides of the back.
 84. Themounting system of claim 78, further comprising: a bezel configured forcovering a portion of the display panel.
 85. The mounting system ofclaim 84, wherein the bezel includes a portion extending between theplurality of brackets.
 86. An assembly for mounting a flat-panel displaycomprising: a bracket member for mounting the flat-panel display in acover, the bracket member having at least one first hole extendingthrough a portion thereof and at least one second hole formedtherethrough; and the flat-panel display including a back having atleast one mounting member extending laterally therefrom, the flat-paneldisplay secured to at least a portion of the bracket member using atleast one mounting member extending through the at least one first holeformed laterally through a portion of the bracket member for mountingthe flat-panel display to the bracket member.
 87. The assembly of claim86, wherein the bracket member comprises a member having a first portionextending in a first direction and a second portion extendingorthogonally in a second direction therefrom.
 88. The assembly of claim87, wherein the at least one first hole is formed in the first portionof the bracket member and the at least one second hole is formed in thesecond portion of the bracket member.
 89. The assembly of claim 86,wherein the cover includes a sidewall.
 90. The assembly of claim 89,wherein the bracket member comprises a member having a first portionextending in a first direction for extending in the direction of thesidewall of the cover being spaced therefrom and a second portionextending orthogonally in a second direction therefrom.
 91. The assemblyof claim 90, wherein the bracket member further includes the at leastone first hole located in the first portion and the at least one secondhole located in the second portion.
 92. The assembly of claim 91,further comprising another mounting member for mounting the flat-paneldisplay in the cover.
 93. The assembly of claim 92, wherein the anothermounting member is for mounting the flat-panel display in a cover havinga portion thereof extending through a hole in the cover and extendinginto at least a portion of the at least one second hole in the bracketmember for mounting the flat-panel display in the cover.
 94. Theassembly of claim 93, wherein a bezel may be used to cover a portion ofthe flat-panel display.
 95. The assembly of claim 94, wherein the bezelfurther includes a portion for abutting a portion of the sidewall of thecover.
 96. The assembly of claim 95, wherein the bezel further includesa portion for extending into the cover.
 97. The assembly of claim 96,wherein the bezel further includes a portion for extending into thecover to be located between the sidewall thereof and the first portionof the bracket member.
 98. The assembly of claim 86, wherein theflat-panel display includes a display panel.
 99. The assembly of claim98, wherein the flat-panel display further includes a rim extendingaround the display panel and the back.
 100. The assembly of claim 86,wherein the flat-panel display includes a display panel and a rimextending around the display panel and the back.
 101. A mounting systemfor a display comprising: a display panel including an active area, aback, a plurality of sidewalls forming the circumference of the displaypanel, and a plurality of holes extending laterally into at least twoopposed edges of the plurality of sidewalls of the display panel; acover including a back having a sidewall extending around a portion ofthe back, couplings configured to connect the cover to a base unit of acomputer for closing thereover, a plurality of brackets, each bracket ofthe plurality having a hole extending laterally through a portionthereof, each bracket of the plurality configured to have a portion toconnect with a portion of the couplings; and a plurality of lateralmounting members, each lateral mounting member of the pluralityconfigured for engaging at least a portion of a hole of the plurality ofholes of the display panel using an interference fit therewith andextending through the one hole in each bracket of the plurality ofbrackets.
 102. The mounting system of claim 101, wherein the pluralityof lateral mounting members comprise pins.
 103. The mounting system ofclaim 101, wherein the display panel further comprises: a rim extendingaround the circumference of the display panel, the rim having aplurality of holes therethrough.
 104. The mounting system of claim 101,wherein the plurality of lateral mounting members includes each memberconfigured for engaging a non-threaded hole in the display panel. 105.The mounting system of claim 101, wherein the cover includes a brackethaving at least one pin configured to engage at least a portion of ahole of the plurality of holes extending laterally into a plurality ofedges of the display panel.
 106. The mounting system of claim 101,wherein the sidewall of the cover includes a sidewall configured toextend around a plurality of sides of the back.
 107. The mounting systemof claim 101, further comprising: a bezel configured for covering aportion of the display panel.
 108. The mounting system of claim 107,wherein the bezel includes a portion extending between the plurality ofbrackets.
 109. An assembly for mounting a flat-panel display comprising:a flat-panel display including a back having at least one hole formedlaterally therein and a display panel, the flat-panel display secured toat least a portion of a support member by using at least one mountingmember extending through a first hole formed laterally through a portionof the support member and engaging at least a portion of the at leastone hole of the back of the flat-panel display for mounting theflat-panel display to the support member for mounting the assembly in acover for a computer.
 110. The assembly of claim 109, wherein thesupport member comprises a member having a first portion extending in afirst direction and a second portion extending orthogonally in a seconddirection therefrom.
 111. The assembly of claim 110, wherein the firsthole is formed in the first portion of the support member and at leastone second hole is formed in the second portion of the bracket member.112. The assembly of claim 111, wherein the cover includes a sidewall.113. The assembly of claim 112, wherein the support member comprises amember having a first portion extending in a first direction forextending in the direction of the sidewall of the cover being spacedtherefrom and a second portion extending orthogonally in a seconddirection therefrom.
 114. The assembly of claim 113, wherein the supportmember further includes the first hole located in the first portion andat least one second hole located in the second portion.
 115. Theassembly of claim 114, further comprising another mounting member formounting the flat-panel display in the cover.
 116. The assembly of claim115, wherein the another mounting member extends through a hole in thecover and extending into at least a portion of the at least one secondhole in the support member for mounting the flat-panel display in thecover.
 117. The assembly of claim 109, wherein a bezel may be used tocover a portion of the flat-panel display.
 118. The assembly of claim117, wherein the bezel further includes a portion for abutting a portionof a sidewall of the cover.
 119. The assembly of claim 118, wherein thebezel further includes a portion for extending into the cover.
 120. Theassembly of claim 109, wherein the bezel further includes a portion forextending into the cover to be located between a sidewall thereof and afirst portion of the support member.
 121. The assembly of claim 109,wherein the flat-panel display further includes a rim extending aroundthe display panel and the back.
 122. An assembly for mounting aflat-panel display comprising: a flat-panel display including a backhaving at least one hole formed laterally therein and a display panel,the flat-panel display secured to at least a portion of a memberattached to the back by using at least one mounting member extendingthrough a first hole formed laterally through a portion of the memberand engaging at least a portion of the at least one hole of the back ofthe flat-panel display for mounting the flat-panel display to themember.
 123. The assembly of claim 122, wherein the member has a firstportion extending in a first direction and a second portion extendingorthogonally in a second direction therefrom.
 124. The assembly of claim123, wherein the first hole is formed in the first portion of the memberand at least one second hole is formed in the second portion of themember.
 125. The assembly of claim 124, further comprising a coverincluding a sidewall.
 126. The assembly of claim 125, wherein the memberhas a first portion extending in a first direction for extending in thedirection of the sidewall of the cover being spaced therefrom and asecond portion extending orthogonally in a second direction therefrom.127. The assembly of claim 126, wherein the member further includes thefirst hole located in the first portion and at least one second holelocated in the second portion.
 128. The assembly of claim 127, furthercomprising another mounting member for mounting the flat-panel displayin the cover.
 129. The assembly of claim 128, wherein the anothermounting member extends through a hole in the cover and extending intoat least a portion of the at least one second hole in the member formounting the flat-panel display in the cover.
 130. The assembly of claim122, wherein a bezel may be used to cover a portion of the flat-paneldisplay.
 131. The assembly of claim 130, wherein the bezel furtherincludes a portion for abutting a portion of a sidewall of a cover. 132.The assembly of claim 131, wherein the bezel further includes a portionfor extending into the cover.
 133. The assembly of claim 122, whereinthe bezel further includes a portion for extending into a cover to belocated between a sidewall thereof and a first portion of the member.134. The assembly of claim 122, wherein the flat-panel display furtherincludes a rim extending around the display panel and the back.
 135. Anassembly for mounting a flat-panel display comprising: a flat-paneldisplay including a back having at least one hole formed laterallytherein and a display panel, the flat-panel display secured to at leasta portion of a support member by using at least one mounting memberextending through a first hole formed laterally through a portion of thesupport member and engaging at least a portion of the at least one holeof the back of the flat-panel display for mounting the flat-paneldisplay to the support member for mounting the assembly in a backcovering a portion of the flat-panel display.
 136. The assembly of claim135, wherein the support member comprises a member having a firstportion extending in a first direction and a second portion extendingorthogonally in a second direction therefrom.
 137. The assembly of claim136, wherein the first hole is formed in the first portion of thesupport member and at least one second hole is formed in the secondportion of the support member.
 138. The assembly of claim 135, whereinthe back includes a sidewall.
 139. The assembly of claim 138, whereinthe support member comprises a member having a first portion extendingin a first direction for extending in the direction of the sidewall ofthe back being spaced therefrom and a second portion extendingorthogonally in a second direction therefrom.
 140. The assembly of claim139, wherein the support member further includes the hole located in thefirst portion and at least one second hole located in the secondportion.
 141. The assembly of claim 140, further comprising anothermounting member for mounting the flat-panel display in the back coveringa portion of the flat-panel display.
 142. The assembly of claim 141,wherein the another mounting member extends through a hole in a coverand extending into at least a portion of the at least one second hole inthe support member for mounting the flat-panel display in the backcovering a portion of the flat-panel display.
 143. The assembly of claim135, wherein a bezel may be used to cover a portion of the flat-paneldisplay.
 144. The assembly of claim 143, wherein the bezel furtherincludes a portion for abutting a portion of a sidewall of a back membercovering a portion of the flat-panel display.
 145. The assembly of claim144, wherein the bezel further includes a portion for extending into theback member covering a portion of the flat-panel display.
 146. Theassembly of claim 135, wherein the bezel further includes a portion forextending into a back member covering a portion of the flat-paneldisplay located between a sidewall of the back member and a firstportion of the support member.
 147. The assembly of claim 135, whereinthe flat-panel display further includes a rim extending around thedisplay panel and the back covering a portion of the flat-panel display.148. An assembly for mounting a flat-panel display comprising: aflat-panel display including a back having at least one hole formedlaterally therein and a display panel, the flat-panel display secured toat least a portion of a support member attached to the back by using atleast one mounting member extending through a first hole formedlaterally through a portion of the support member and engaging at leasta portion of the at least one hole of the back of the flat-panel displayfor mounting the flat-panel display to the support member.
 149. Theassembly of claim 148, wherein the support member has a first portionextending in a first direction and a second portion extendingorthogonally in a second direction therefrom.
 150. The assembly of claim149, wherein the first hole is formed in the first portion of thesupport member and at least one second hole is formed in the secondportion of the support member.
 151. The assembly of claim 148, furthercomprising a back member for covering a portion of the flat-paneldisplay which includes a sidewall.
 152. The assembly of claim 151,wherein the support member has a first portion extending in a firstdirection for extending in the direction of the sidewall of the backmember for covering a portion of the flat-panel display being spacedtherefrom and a second portion extending orthogonally in a seconddirection therefrom.
 153. The assembly of claim 148, wherein a bezel maybe used to cover a portion of the flat-panel display.
 154. The assemblyof claim 153, wherein the bezel further includes a portion for abuttinga portion of a sidewall of a back member for covering a portion of theflat-panel display.
 155. The assembly of claim 154, wherein the bezelfurther includes a portion for extending into the back member forcovering a portion of the flat-panel display.